waiting in the window

even now
you can feel
your father's whiskers
against your
soft cheek.
smell the bourbon
on his breath.
the sparkle of blue
in his eyes, dulled,
shining less,
tired with the day
he's chosen to live.
he lifts you away
from the window
where you waited.
there is tenderness
in his strong hands
and in his words,
though mumbled, as he
carries you to bed.
he will forget
this moment
so quickly, but you,
you will never forget.